Four Couples' Pleasure
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
FOUR COUPLES' PLEASURE (32 bar strathspey for 4 couples) Francien Van Heuvel, The Delft Book Of Scottish Country Dances1-4 1st couple with nearer hands joined, dance down between 2nd couple and cast up to original places, while 4th couple with nearer hands joined, dance up between 3rd couple and cast off to original places.
5-8 2nd couple dance a half figure of eight round 1st couple to finish on the opposite side facing up, while 3rd couple dance a half figure of eight round 4th couple to finish on the opposite side facing down. 1st couple facing down, 4th couple facing up. 1(2)(3)4
9-16 All couples dance a reel of four on the sides to finish 2nd and 3rd couples in the centre, 2nd man facing 1st lady, 2nd lady facing 1st man, 3rd man facing 4th lady and 3rd lady facing 4th man.
17-20 All set and change places right hand.
21-24 1st and 4th couples dance left hands across once round, while 2nd and 3rd couples change places on the sides giving right hand and cross over with partner giving left hand to finish all couples in the side lines.
25-32 3rd, 1st, 4th and 2nd couples dance the knot for 4 couples to finish in the order 2, 4, 1, 3.
Repeat, with a new top couple.
(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Francien Van Heuvel, Delft, 1984)
Dance Notes
25-32 Phrasing of the knot for 4 couples: All couples must turn partners into allemande hold on bar 1, and finish in a line on the ladies' side facing up at the end of bar 5.(Dance notes by the deviser, Francien Van Heuvel)
Dance Information
Recommended Music: Miss Heather Battel, The Dingles' Eightsome Room, Miss Margaret Anderson, as played by Muriel A. Johnstone: A Reel Dram.Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Four Couples' Pleasure' page